Matthew 22:21
They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
Today, as believers who seriously await our Saviour’s return, we reflect on one area where many good Christians offend and mock God unawares. It’s the area of paying our dues to the government and to God. In our text, Jesus makes it clear that godly people pay their taxes. So does Paul (Rom 13:7).
Likewise, good Christians pay their tithes to God: “Every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, BELONGS to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.” (Leviticus 27:30).
So if we don’t pay our tithes God considers it as theft or robbery simply because that portion belongs to Him (Mal 3:8). Note that paying tithes is not a sign of our generosity, but is proof of our obedience. It is truly wonderful that God chooses to reward us for doing what we are supposed to do anyway (Mal 3:10)!
Beloved, as we eagerly await the Second Coming, we must be faithful to the Lord in every way we can. We must honour Him and His Word unreservedly. Let us not be deceived that we can be selectively obedient and still inherit the kingdom of God.
Pastor Josh